Reproduction Contract

 

 

1. All breeding females must be current on reproductive exam, which must be renewed each breeding cycle.

2. All breeding females must be of appropriate age, 18 months or older. Records from a veterinarian or a registration certificate with identifying information for the dog will be required to verify her age.

3. We strongly encourage clients to call for a Breeding Soundness Exam with the first sign of her heat cycle. This allows us to schedule you appropriately.

4. Vaccines or titers must be up to date for each patient (male and female). If you cannot provide record of vaccinations or titers, we will not provide services; alternately, vaccines will be required the day of first exam.

 

5. Breeding animals must be of sound temperament. They must permit a thorough examination without excessive restraint. “Excessive restraint” will be determined by the clinic staff

6. Pregnancy confirmation appointments should be scheduled at the time of the breeding.

7. Puppy count appointments should be scheduled at the time of the pregnancy confirmation appointment.

8. Health requirements: Breeding animals must be in sound physical condition and must not have any medical conditions that are not well-managed. Our doctors reserve the right to deny reproductive services to any animal. 

A. Any animal that has difficulty breathing or has severe respiratory signs of Brachycephalic Airway Obstructive Syndrome will be refused reproductive services. 

B. If a heart murmur is found at the time of examination, an echocardiogram with a board-certified cardiologist will be required prior to continuation of reproductive services.  Appointment wait time for a cardiologist can be weeks to months. If you are aware of a murmur in your dog, it is recommended to obtain an echocardiogram appointment prior to making an appointment for breeding services with VCVC.

C. We require that all breeding animals have full health testing prior to breeding as recommended by your breed’s parent club. Breeds without a parent club will be required to at least have OFA style hips and elbows, as well as cardiac auscultation before being bred. Dogs suspected of having Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrom (BOAS) will require testing prior to breeding (we do not require that these results are submitted to OFA). We reserve the right to refuse breeding services to any pet. 

D. Ovulation/breeding timing will be performed with serial progesterone testing (blood testing) and vaginal cytologies. In order to have the most accurate ovulation timing, this very often means additional samples need to be taken during the fertile breeding window to ensure that ovulation has completed. If artificial insemination is being performed by VCVC, ovulation timing (progesterone testing) must be deemed “complete” by the theriogenologist. In certain cases where the ovulation timing is critical (i.e. frozen semen breedings, elective c-sections, history of infertility or subfertility, abnormal heat cycles, poor semen quality, etc.) additional testing such as Luteinizing Hormone (LH) testing may be required on a case-by-case basis ($75).

E.  Brucellosis is a very serious disease caused by the bacteria Brucella canis and can cause infertility and abortion. Additionally, this disease is zoonotic (can be spread to humans). IT IS REQUIRED THAT ALL BREEDING DOGS (MALE AND FEMALE) BE SCREENED FOR BRUCELLOSIS PRIOR TO BREEDING. This screening is considered current if a negative test has been done within the last 6 months. This screening test is included in the Breeding Soundness Exam. 

9. A $50 deposit for new clients will be required to make the first reproductive appointment. This amount will go towards your first visit. This deposit will be forfeited if the appointment is cancelled less 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment. To reschedule appointments after a no-show or late cancellation, another $50 deposit will be required. For already established clients: continual no-shows or showing up late for appointments will result in additional fees or discontinuation of services.

10.  Elective C-sections will only be scheduled if ovulation timing has been completed at VCVC. C-sections for dystocia will only be performed during our regular office hours and as we have space within our schedule. North Springs Veterinary Referral Center, 10520 White Diamond Pt, Colorado Springs, CO 80908 is available outside of our regular office hours, or if our schedule is full. Colorado Veterinary Specialty Group, 401 E County Line Rd, Littleton, CO 80122 is also available.